Board approves 95‑day prorated hire and amends general fund budget

The Barnes County North School Board voted Dec. 18 to approve a prorated 95‑day contract for a recommended hire and to adopt an amended general fund levy after receiving final valuation numbers from the county auditor.

The interview committee recommended offering a contract to Angel Nelson. The board approved a 95‑day prorated contract (52.2% of a full-time contract), with a base salary figure noted as $43,000 to be prorated; members discussed whether the hire is for the remainder of the year and noted that long‑term staffing and negotiated agreements will affect future labor costs.

The motion to approve the 95‑day contract passed on a roll-call vote in which board members Michelle, Cindy, Cody, Jennifer, Tyler and DJ voted yes and Lee and Mike voted no. Board members said the district’s budget includes funding for the advertised position this year and that personnel shifts will be finalized through the personnel and negotiations process.

On the budget amendment, the board received final figures from the county auditor: the previously stated general-fund tax levy was revised slightly to an amended amount of $2,380,228.97 (originally listed as $2,383,420.40) and related miscellaneous levy adjustments were reported. The board voted to approve the amended general fund budget and associated levy figures.

Board members directed staff to prepare documentation on sick-bank policy and to have the negotiations committee review any needed policy changes before the next meeting. The board also noted that future negotiated agreements will determine the full-year labor cost implications of new hires and that the district remains budgeted to cover the position this school year.

The hiring and amended levy approvals were procedural votes; the board will finalize contract paperwork and file the amended budget per county requirements.